Om Sai Ram
Sai always has something for you, a key for every problem, a light for every shadow, a relief for every sorrow & a plan for every tomorrow.
Leela 3
Gangubai’s Persistence
In chapter 36 of the Shri Sai Satcharita the wonderful leela of Gangubai and Sakharam Aurangabadkar is given. Although Gangubai had been married for 27 years, she was unable to
conceive and bear children. Having heard of Baba’s divinity and compassionate leelas, she came to Shirdi along with her step-son Vishvanath, to seek Baba’s blessing. Gangubai sought
Shama’s help, and through his intercession offered a coconut to Baba. Then Baba said, “Do coconuts produce children? How do you cultivate such superstitions?” However, Shama was adamant that Baba bless her with a child. After a great deal of persuasion, Baba finally blessed her saying, “She will get a child, after twelve months.” And so it came to pass.
A short biography of Sakharam Tatyaji Aurangabadkar and his wife Gangubai is narrated by their grandson Dattatreya Vasudev Aurangabadkar.
The Aurangabadkar’s ancestral home was in Sholapur, and they were “goldsmiths” by profession. Sakharam owned a jewellery shop in Mangalwar Peth, and he was famous for crafting “ready made” jewellery. During that time, clients were unable to purchase exquisite jewellery. Hence they would come to Sakharam and explain to him the pattern and type of jewellery they desired to have made. Sakharam with
his expertise, ingenuity and dexterity would create beautiful jewellery for them. He was respected for his righteousness and honesty. At that time there were no financial banks; so Sakharam also had a pawn-brokerage business. Thus his family was very affluent. In Sholapur he was fondly known as “Sakyha Hari”, that is, Hari or the Lord who is my friend.
Dattatreya recalls: “My grandfather had a noble personality. He was tall and well built. He wore ‘pheta’ (turban) and a coat
on top of his dhotar (dhoti) and walked in a majestic manner. Sakharam was a pious person. At a young age he could recite the Vishnusahasranaam and every evening upon returning home he would sit on the swing and recite it with devotion.
At that time, it was a common practice for a man to remarry if his wife did not bear any children. Thus, Sakharam remarried and a son was born; and he was named Vishvanath.Gangubai was affluent, wore a lot of jewellery, and was well
dressed. Nonetheless, she was extremely saddened by the fact that she was unable to conceive and everyone called her ‘Vanjoti’, a derogatory name for a barren woman. Society was
very unkind to infertile women, and treated them as a curse to society. Consequently she was hurt and distraught, and was
unable to enjoy her affluence.
So she sought refuge in God. There was a temple of Lord
Ram in front of her home, and Gangubai spent most of her time praying in that temple. She observed numerous vows, like performing Rudra Abhishek to Lord Shiva during the holy month of Shravan. Gangubai would chant the thousand names
of Lord Shiva while offering a thousand ‘bilvapatra’(Aegle Marmelos) on his Shiva Linga. At the end of that holy month she had a huge feast where everyone could come and dine.
On every Purnima (full moon) she had a Satya Narayana Puja performed in her home. Aurangabadkar’s family deity was Renuka Devi, so Gangubai would climb to the top of
Mahurgad at midnight. In the darkness of the night she would pick up the first stone that touched her hand and bring it home. She would apply ochre colour on it, and eyes, ears and a nose made of gold were fixed on it. Then the stone would be adorned with jewellery and worshipped as a Goddess. All these rituals are still conducted at their home even to this day.
Even after observing all these rituals, fasts, and vows, Gangubai was unable to conceive. As the Gods did not seem to come to Gangubai’s aid she sought refuge in saints. Gangubai
started visiting Humanabad, and did seva in Manik Prabhu’s Sansthan. One day while she was sweeping the floor, she found two pearls. Gangubai immediately returned them to Manik Prabhu. However, Manik Prabhu did not accept them and asked her to keep them. Gangubai took them as a good omen, and returned to Sholapur. As Akkalkot is quite near Sholapur,
Gangubai started visiting Swami Samartha. There also she performed a lot of seva. Seva done with devotion never goes in vain.
On one occasion, Das Ganu performed a kirtan in Sholapur, and she and her family attended it. This had a tremendous effect on her, and as Das Ganu spoke of Baba’s divinity, his compassion for the downtrodden, and the numerous leelas that he performed for his devotees, she was filled with faith.
After Das Ganu had finished the kirtan she met him and
enquired about Baba. Das Ganu reassured her, ‘You go to Shirdi and prostrate at his feet. Your desire will definitely be fulfilled.’ Gangubai did not waste another moment and got
permission from her husband to leave for Shirdi.
Taking her step-son Vishwanath, she went to meet Baba.
At Shirdi she tried her level best to meet Baba and open her heart to him. This was especially difficult as there was always someone or the other present there. Then she sought Shama’s help, and finally her wish was granted.”
Gangubai and Vishvanath stayed in Shirdi for two months and her persistence paid off. Baba’s promise came to fruition in 1911, and Sakharam and Gangubai were blessed with a baby
boy. The baby was cute, with a rosy, fair complexion, but most importantly, he was a healthy baby. Gangubai basked in the joy of finally giving birth to a boy and everyone around her was
happy for her. Sakharam had decided that the baby would be christened by Baba. Thus when the child was 5 months old they took the baby to Shirdi. Baba placed the baby in his lap and
blessed him with the name “Rama Krishna” and as dakshinaSakharam gave Baba 500 Rupees. However, Baba didn’t accept it and it was later used to construct a stable for Baba’s favourite
horse, Shyam Karana.
In 1915, Gangubai had another son named Vasudev, and a year later she passed away. Thus both her children were bereft of their mother’s love, but as it was a large extended family, they were well cared for. Vishvanath’s wife Mathurabai took
good care of both the children.
The Sadguru surpasses the Kalpavriksha, or the wish-
fulfilling divine tree, and Kamdhenu or the celestial cow of plenty, who bestows on the owner whatever he desires.
Only after coming to Baba, did Gangubai conceive and
have children. Thus the Sadguru is superior and excels the Kalpavriksha and Kamadhenu
In chapter 36 of the Shri Sai Satcharita, ovi 149, Shama
says, “Please look upon her graciously and put that coconut in the lap of her sari. By your blessings many sons and daughters will be born to her.”
In ovi 150, Shama says, “Oh! We know the power and
marvel of your words! So priceless are they that a long train of children will follow, on their own.”It was only by Shama’s unshakeable faith in Baba, and Baba’s word that she was blessed with children. Hence Baba’s word is more powerful than the Kalpavriksha and
Kamadhenu.
Ref.: Shri Sai Leela Magazine, Deepavali issue, 2010.
Source : Baba's Divine Manifestations by Vinny Chitluri
Just because you can't see the air, doesn't mean you stop breathing. Just because you can't see Sai doesn't mean you stop believing.
Gangubai’s Persistence
In chapter 36 of the Shri Sai Satcharita the wonderful leela of Gangubai and Sakharam Aurangabadkar is given. Although Gangubai had been married for 27 years, she was unable to
conceive and bear children. Having heard of Baba’s divinity and compassionate leelas, she came to Shirdi along with her step-son Vishvanath, to seek Baba’s blessing. Gangubai sought
Shama’s help, and through his intercession offered a coconut to Baba. Then Baba said, “Do coconuts produce children? How do you cultivate such superstitions?” However, Shama was adamant that Baba bless her with a child. After a great deal of persuasion, Baba finally blessed her saying, “She will get a child, after twelve months.” And so it came to pass.
A short biography of Sakharam Tatyaji Aurangabadkar and his wife Gangubai is narrated by their grandson Dattatreya Vasudev Aurangabadkar.
The Aurangabadkar’s ancestral home was in Sholapur, and they were “goldsmiths” by profession. Sakharam owned a jewellery shop in Mangalwar Peth, and he was famous for crafting “ready made” jewellery. During that time, clients were unable to purchase exquisite jewellery. Hence they would come to Sakharam and explain to him the pattern and type of jewellery they desired to have made. Sakharam with
his expertise, ingenuity and dexterity would create beautiful jewellery for them. He was respected for his righteousness and honesty. At that time there were no financial banks; so Sakharam also had a pawn-brokerage business. Thus his family was very affluent. In Sholapur he was fondly known as “Sakyha Hari”, that is, Hari or the Lord who is my friend.
Dattatreya recalls: “My grandfather had a noble personality. He was tall and well built. He wore ‘pheta’ (turban) and a coat
on top of his dhotar (dhoti) and walked in a majestic manner. Sakharam was a pious person. At a young age he could recite the Vishnusahasranaam and every evening upon returning home he would sit on the swing and recite it with devotion.
At that time, it was a common practice for a man to remarry if his wife did not bear any children. Thus, Sakharam remarried and a son was born; and he was named Vishvanath.Gangubai was affluent, wore a lot of jewellery, and was well
dressed. Nonetheless, she was extremely saddened by the fact that she was unable to conceive and everyone called her ‘Vanjoti’, a derogatory name for a barren woman. Society was
very unkind to infertile women, and treated them as a curse to society. Consequently she was hurt and distraught, and was
unable to enjoy her affluence.
So she sought refuge in God. There was a temple of Lord
Ram in front of her home, and Gangubai spent most of her time praying in that temple. She observed numerous vows, like performing Rudra Abhishek to Lord Shiva during the holy month of Shravan. Gangubai would chant the thousand names
of Lord Shiva while offering a thousand ‘bilvapatra’(Aegle Marmelos) on his Shiva Linga. At the end of that holy month she had a huge feast where everyone could come and dine.
On every Purnima (full moon) she had a Satya Narayana Puja performed in her home. Aurangabadkar’s family deity was Renuka Devi, so Gangubai would climb to the top of
Mahurgad at midnight. In the darkness of the night she would pick up the first stone that touched her hand and bring it home. She would apply ochre colour on it, and eyes, ears and a nose made of gold were fixed on it. Then the stone would be adorned with jewellery and worshipped as a Goddess. All these rituals are still conducted at their home even to this day.
Even after observing all these rituals, fasts, and vows, Gangubai was unable to conceive. As the Gods did not seem to come to Gangubai’s aid she sought refuge in saints. Gangubai
started visiting Humanabad, and did seva in Manik Prabhu’s Sansthan. One day while she was sweeping the floor, she found two pearls. Gangubai immediately returned them to Manik Prabhu. However, Manik Prabhu did not accept them and asked her to keep them. Gangubai took them as a good omen, and returned to Sholapur. As Akkalkot is quite near Sholapur,
Gangubai started visiting Swami Samartha. There also she performed a lot of seva. Seva done with devotion never goes in vain.
On one occasion, Das Ganu performed a kirtan in Sholapur, and she and her family attended it. This had a tremendous effect on her, and as Das Ganu spoke of Baba’s divinity, his compassion for the downtrodden, and the numerous leelas that he performed for his devotees, she was filled with faith.
After Das Ganu had finished the kirtan she met him and
enquired about Baba. Das Ganu reassured her, ‘You go to Shirdi and prostrate at his feet. Your desire will definitely be fulfilled.’ Gangubai did not waste another moment and got
permission from her husband to leave for Shirdi.
Taking her step-son Vishwanath, she went to meet Baba.
At Shirdi she tried her level best to meet Baba and open her heart to him. This was especially difficult as there was always someone or the other present there. Then she sought Shama’s help, and finally her wish was granted.”
Gangubai and Vishvanath stayed in Shirdi for two months and her persistence paid off. Baba’s promise came to fruition in 1911, and Sakharam and Gangubai were blessed with a baby
boy. The baby was cute, with a rosy, fair complexion, but most importantly, he was a healthy baby. Gangubai basked in the joy of finally giving birth to a boy and everyone around her was
happy for her. Sakharam had decided that the baby would be christened by Baba. Thus when the child was 5 months old they took the baby to Shirdi. Baba placed the baby in his lap and
blessed him with the name “Rama Krishna” and as dakshinaSakharam gave Baba 500 Rupees. However, Baba didn’t accept it and it was later used to construct a stable for Baba’s favourite
horse, Shyam Karana.
In 1915, Gangubai had another son named Vasudev, and a year later she passed away. Thus both her children were bereft of their mother’s love, but as it was a large extended family, they were well cared for. Vishvanath’s wife Mathurabai took
good care of both the children.
The Sadguru surpasses the Kalpavriksha, or the wish-
fulfilling divine tree, and Kamdhenu or the celestial cow of plenty, who bestows on the owner whatever he desires.
Only after coming to Baba, did Gangubai conceive and
have children. Thus the Sadguru is superior and excels the Kalpavriksha and Kamadhenu
In chapter 36 of the Shri Sai Satcharita, ovi 149, Shama
says, “Please look upon her graciously and put that coconut in the lap of her sari. By your blessings many sons and daughters will be born to her.”
In ovi 150, Shama says, “Oh! We know the power and
marvel of your words! So priceless are they that a long train of children will follow, on their own.”It was only by Shama’s unshakeable faith in Baba, and Baba’s word that she was blessed with children. Hence Baba’s word is more powerful than the Kalpavriksha and
Kamadhenu.
Ref.: Shri Sai Leela Magazine, Deepavali issue, 2010.
Source : Baba's Divine Manifestations by Vinny Chitluri
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